Class 4

Methods Acting

Presentation on TPR (Word)
Suggestopedia (PowerPoint) (movie)

Assignment while watching/observing method: On a sheet of paper write down one aspect of method you could use/adapt to your teaching

After each presentation:

Give strengths
Comment on what you could adapt/use

Academic Language

Theory: Cummins
Iceberg

Cummins’ iceberg theory: BICS/CALP

The acronym "BICS" stands for Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills. It is the kind of language we use when we are talking face to face or when we are talking on the phone. It is informal language and really just a form of basic communication. It is the language of social interaction. It is "surface" fluency of a language. It is a mistake to think that because a person has this basic communication fluency, they are totally fluent in the language. They may or may not have fluency in academic language. Competency in the language includes both communication skills (BICS) and academic language.
The acronym "CALP" was coined by Dr. Cummins and stands for Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency. It's the academic language proficiency that one needs to think in abstract ways and to carry on cognitively demanding tasks that are part of the school curriculum. Some call it "school language" or academic language.
Cited from Azuza'a CLAD vocabulary glossary
Check out their cool vocabulary quiz on SLA terms

Cummins' (1979) theory of language interdependence proposed that there are common mental processes underlying both first and second language learning. Cummins has provided a visual representation for this theory referred to as the "Iceberg" model.
DUal Iceberg

Cummin's hypothesis on interdependence of languages (1979, 1981)- "Iceberg Theory"

The iceberg analogy refers to the assumption that on the surface the first and second languages appear to be functioning in isolation but under the surface there are academic and intellectual processes that are common to both languages. In Cummins' hypothesis, the theory is that first language learning "proficiencies" can be transferred to the second language learning context. The unique aspect of the use of Cummins theory is that this hypothesis could also work in reverse. That is to say that at the same time learners are learning a second language, they are also developing capacities which could be used in the first language learning setting (Netten & Germain, 2002).

Cummins' Quadrant (pdf file)

Link to Brown's Ecology of Language Acquisition

Cummins' Language, Power and Pedagogy: Chapter 1

Discuss Cummins' Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills (BICS) and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP).

Activity 2: Classify Language Tasks on Cummins Quadrant

Work in groups to write at least one example of a language task in each quadrant.

Defining Academic Language

Discuss points on Academic Language Handout

Next week's topic: CALLA instruction:

Link to CALLA handout (pdf file)

Powerpoint presentation

site search

contact me